Do you think you could be a foster carer?

Dog foster care providers are people who take rescue dogs into their homes. They temporarily provide food, care, and shelter for them in their own home until a permanent home can be found.

Being a foster care provider takes a considerable amount of time, dedication, and genuine caring. It's a big commitment and it's not a job for everyone. Yet the fulfilment and sense of purpose you receive in knowing that you helped one more dog find its way into a safe, happy home is overwhelming each time you successfully place a dog.

Basic Foster Care duties:

As a foster "parent", you are not only providing shelter, food and health care, you will be responsible for learning about and assessing the dog's temperament, character and abilities before finding him a new home.

You should teach some basic commands and obedience training to the dog. Things such as sit, come, stay, and having the dog walk on a lead will ensure a secure transition into its new home. It is also important to socialise with other dogs, people and surroundings. You'll may also need to look for fear or aggression triggers and if poossible have the dog toilet trained.

These things will depend on a wide range of factors. the dogs age, how long you have him, its history, how much time you can spare each day, inside or outside dog? etc.

When it is time for your dog to go to its new permanent home you will most probably feel an attachment to your foster dog, and tears may be shed that day. It is important to remember that you did give the dog a second chance at life and that's a very precious and worthwhile gift to both the dog and its new family.

Rigbys Rescue Foster Carer

The best way to start foster caring is through a rescue group.

Rigbys Rescue will cover the cost of vet fees. Things such as:
- vet examinations
- desexing
- micro chipping
- vaccinations and medications


When a permanent home for the foster dog is found, an adoption fee (or reimbursement fee) is paid by the new owner and is passed on to the rescue group.

If you need extra supplies such as towels/blankets/bowls/bedding, we can supply these to carers. If you find that you are struggling with a foster dog, let someone from the rescue group know. Often rescue groups share their resources and work together for the benefit of the dogs.

Some dogs take longer to find homes than others, if you find that you are unable to continue fostering, then the rescue group will need some notice so they can find another foster carer. Under no circumstances should be the dog be taken back to the pound or given to any other organisation.

If you are looking for a particular dog you can specify which breed or age you want although most dogs that end up in pounds are mixed breeds. For example you may only want to take small terrier mixes that get along with cats; or large outdoor-only dogs. Others find puppies are less threatening to their own dogs. You may also have some experience with special needs dogs and be able to provide them with the care that they need.

Sometimes we may not have the resources to take a foster dog back into care so we ask that you take on the foster dog as if you were adding the dog to your family until a permanent home can be found.

If you are interested in becoming a foster carer, contact Rigbys Rescue by using our contact form. You will be required to submit to a property inspection and sign a foster carer's contract with Rigbys Rescue. We cannot save dogs without Foster Carers. They are the most valuable resource a rescue group can have!